The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was founded in Paris in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union. It took its present name in 1934, and in 1947 became a specialized agency of the United Nations. Although its first area of expertise was the telegraph, the work of the ITU now covers the whole ICT sector, from digital broadcasting to the Internet, and from mobile technologies to 3D TV.
An organization of public-private partnership since its inception, the ITU currently has a membership of 193 countries as well as ICT regulators, leading academic institutions and some 700 private sector companies. The ITU is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has 12 regional and area offices around the world.
Egypt has been an active member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) since its establishment. Egypt strongly supports the mission and the pivotal role of the organization through participation in ITU programs and projects, and promotion of ITU goals nationally and internationally.
Member of the ITU council since its inception in 1973, Egypt won its membership in ten rounds out of twelve, helping Egypt defend African and Arab region stances and interests.
Egypt is one of the longest serving members of the ITU Council and is also represented on the council by 16 private sector companies.
Egypt is a founding member of the “Connect the World” initiative and has chaired the Council Working Group on International Telecommunication Regulations.
Egypt is also an active participant in ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D), ITU-Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) and ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU- R).
Egypt also hosts the ITU Arab Regional Office and works hand in hand with the team in the interest of the region.